Expository and Informative Texts

Start with an overview

The slides on expository texts introduce their purpose: to inform, describe and clarify. They also point to facts, details and precise language. For another overview, the notes titled Expository Writing: Informative and Explanatory Texts describe writing that informs, describes and explains. Reading these first gives you a starting point for comparing the more focused mind maps.

Explore explanation and reports

Next, open Explanation Writing. This mind map covers features such as a title, an introductory sentence and headings. It also describes explanation writing as informative rather than persuasive. The Explanatory texts mind map looks at describing how something works and giving reasons for a phenomenon.

The maps titled Non-chronological reports (informative texts) offer another perspective. They describe reports that present information objectively without following the order in which events happened. Compare their purpose with the explanation maps as you read.

Check your understanding

There are no quizzes listed on this page, but you can use the maps to make questions for yourself. For example, look at a heading in Explanation Writing, cover the details and try to recall what belongs under it. Then check the map and return to the overview notes if you want more context.

You can also compare purposes across resources. The Exposition Text mind map describes an argument intended to persuade, offering a contrast with the informative focus of Explanation Writing.

Use the topic within the unit

Expository and Informative Texts is one section of Text Types and Text Analysis in English language. The resources here give you examples of purposes and features to consider as you explore that unit. Choose a mind map and use its headings to organize your own notes.